The Plain House is moving and will become Black Tea Cup

My friends,

For nearly a year now you have come over to my house, The Plain House, to share in my thoughts and poetry, as well as the thoughts and poetry of other very talented writers.  I am exceedingly grateful for all of your comments and positive well-wishes--your response has been overwhelming.  However, I believe that all good things must come to an end at some point in time, and for The Plain House, that time is near.  But the good news is that I have already started a new website that will pick up right where The Plain House left off.  That new website is called Black Tea Cup, and can be found here: http://www.blackteacup.com/.

Black Tea Cup will continue the poetic tradition of The Plain House under the "Black Tea for the Heart" heading--you will still be able to find the same unique collection of poetry you are used to finding here on The Plain House.  Black Tea Cup will also have a series of writings on thoughtful subjects under the "Black Tea for the Mind" heading.  You can also get original recipes under the "Black Tea for the Body" heading, and a series of unique, public domain pictures are available under the "Black Tea for the Soul" heading.

So please, don't be sad.  Now that you've spent some time with me at The Plain House, won't you stay for a cup of black tea?

Please update your bookmarks and visit me at Black Tea Cup.  If you like what you see on Black Tea Cup, please consider subscribing.

Sincerely,

Scott Granberg-Rademacker
Founder of The Plain House and Black Tea Cup

A ribbon in your hair

I tied a ribbon

in your hair,

you asked me

to pull it tight.

A lock of curls

did not dare,

outshine it

in golden light.

The simple thread

will not fall,

because its

 fastened with might.

Oh simple bandeau

hang on well,

for you hold

my heart's delight.

-Scott

Holiday lights

Candles bright

shining forth

in the night.

Darkness pushed

outside lines

as you wished.

Golden dawning

hand-in-hand

past the awning.

-Scott

A turkey's thanksgiving

Turkeys in the bush

have reason to give thanks.

Avoiding humans

and spending time with family.

 Huddled close

keeping out of sight.

Living for today

thankful for tomorrow.

-Scott

The old swing

When you sit with me

and I creak and settle

that's friendship.

When you push off of the ground

with both feet

that's commitment.

When you laugh at the wind

with whiplash in your hair

that's joy.

When you close your eyes

because you've gone too high

that's excitement.

When you leap off in midair

with the ground below

that's freedom.

When you think of me and smile

years from now

 that's happiness.

-Scott

Big miracles

Each day we are alive

is not a small miracle

in the grand scheme of life.

Each day we are alive

it is a big miracle

in a small package.

-Scott

Vicenza

The woman cried out, in joy, in pain.
Feeling all alone in her work, but knowing the value.
Health, and spirit, her only desire.
The birth of a future, the making of a queen.
The woman did not know the value of this little girls future, only the little girl.
The lives she would touch, the love she would find, the hurt she would encounter.
The husband that would find her, the children she would bear.
The home of dreams, that she alone would create.
The woman did not know these things.
November 14th, 1974, in a chilly northern Italy.
My beloved was born, and waited for me.

-Aaron

Patience

I patiently wait

for you to return.

Don't take to long

I've energy to burn.

I may be young

my heart an open book.

But you can lift my spirits

with a single look.

-Scott

Autumn berries

I might pick the stem

so I may taste them

the sweet berries of fall!

So juicy sweet

a luscious treat

such fortune to enthrall!

But what of autumn's grove

when hearth or stove

answer brother winter call?

Wait another year

I'll not my dear

so I'm out to pick them all!

-Scott

The last time

This is the last time

I plan on

falling in love.

Funny that the last time

is also

the first time.

-Scott

Flowers in October

October flowers

who would have guessed?

A scent so sweet

I have been blessed.

A true mystery

it is to solve.

How pleasantly

my sins absolve.

I'll never forget

your love so sweet!

You've healed my heart

with vases deep.

-Scott

Sea and sky

A cool spash

sand between toes

towering clouds

out over the ocean.

October breeze

ruffles our hair

grass bends

as white waves crash.

Love renewed

two dear friends

hand-in-hand

like sea and sky.

-Scott

The grind

Up early, do your dance.
Same steps like you're in a trance.

Monday starts, Fridays here.
Summer ends, Winters near.

Days fly by, weeks months too.
Everything changes but you.

Daughters taller, son learns more.
Talks get more interesting, tales of friends and gore.

Wife gets sexier, ages like wine.
Your belly keeps growing, creeping out with time.

So things DO change, are supposed to you know.
The world keeps spinning, no matter how fast you go.

Take it all in, if you have the chance,
Life is not a grind, its a beautiful Dance.

-Aaron

House and home

I can make a house

in the most unlikely place.

But I can't make a home

unless I see your smiling face.

-Scott

Happy Soul

Ever stop to wonder,

what makes us each unique,

as you end the day

and lay down for some sleep?

Just what makes you, YOU,

defining who you are,

what is it makes you tick,

challenging the bar?

A friend of mine believes

We're part of just one being

learning of itself

watching from each screen.

As for me I'm happy

I don't need to know.

Either one, or many,

I'm living my own show.

-Rusty

The beach

Soft, white, warm.
Mother nature's power, a sailor's bane, a turquoise mirror.
My future in my grasp, my beloved past bearing witness,
The new forever is found, kept, and promised.

-Aaron

A Mom of Three Boys

They watch me play

and see how I love the game.

I invite them to join

and show how I love them.

We sweat together

laugh together

and dream together.

All because of a little round ball.

-Matt and Heidi

Happy Inn Cookie

I found a fortune cookie fortune among the leaves

I read it, to see if it was mine.

It said "All things GREAT are done for Love,"

I thought of my wife, our life and our time.

I felt love undying.

I felt profound shame,

I felt a tear well up in me,

Of pride that she took my name.

-Aaron

The turkey's compass

Eyes to the West

and the setting sun.

Burning your pupils

when the day is done.

Feet to the East

so to walk downwind.

Step down the ravine

or jump with a grin.

Stars in the North

a shiver and chill.

Looking for shelter

over the next hill.

Moon in the South

it hearkens a call.

Crispy brown leaves stage

the coming of fall.

-Scott

Naomi

Fecundity; her laughter spills

Like the softest, reddest roses

On the path to my magic garden.

The fullness of her vibration

Caresses and resounds; Velvet.

Devotion; I gladly lose myself

In the petals of her peals.

She laughs again; she is Love.

-Sara D.